If you’ve spent any time fishing Mosquito Lagoon, you already know this place can humble you quick.
Clear, shallow water. Skittish fish. Zero room for error.
That’s exactly why, after more than 20 years of guiding these waters, I keep coming back to one lure over and over again:
The DOA Shrimp.
It’s not hype. It’s not trendy. It just flat-out works.
And I’ve had a front-row seat to its success—not just as a guide, but as a longtime friend of the man who created it, Mark Nichols.
Why the DOA Shrimp Works in Mosquito Lagoon
Mosquito Lagoon is a sight-fishing fishery. Most days, you’re targeting redfish and trout in water that’s knee-deep or less.
That means:
Fish see everything
Fish hear everything
Fish spook easily
You don’t get second chances.
The DOA Shrimp solves that problem better than just about anything else I’ve thrown.
Here’s why:
1. It matches the hatch perfectly
Shrimp are a primary food source in the Lagoon. The DOA looks, glides, and settles like the real thing.
2. It lands soft
Unlike heavier lures, the DOA Shrimp enters the water quietly. That matters more than people realize.
3. It stays in the strike zone
With its slow sink rate, you can keep it right in front of a fish longer—which is critical in shallow water.
A Quick Word About Mark Nichols
Mark Nichols, the founder of DOA Lures, didn’t just create a product—he built something that changed inshore fishing.
I’ve known Mark for years, and I can tell you this:
He didn’t design the DOA Shrimp in a lab. He built it on the water, testing it where it mattered—just like we do every day in Mosquito Lagoon.
That’s why it works. It was made by a fisherman, for fishermen.
How I Fish the DOA Shrimp (After 30+ Years on the Lagoon)
There’s a right way—and a wrong way—to fish this lure.
Most people fish it too fast.
My Approach:
1. Make a soft, accurate cast
You want to lead the fish—not land on top of it. I’m usually casting 2–4 feet ahead of a moving redfish.
2. Let it sink naturally
This is where the magic happens. Don’t touch it right away.
Let it fall like a real shrimp.
3. Use subtle twitches
I’m not jerking the rod. Just light twitches—enough to make it look alive.
4. Pause… a lot
The pause is what triggers the bite. If you’re constantly moving it, you’re doing it wrong.
Best Conditions for Throwing a DOA Shrimp
While I’ll throw it year-round, it really shines in specific conditions:
Clear water -The more natural the presentation, the better it performs.
Light wind – Helps you make quiet, accurate casts.
Shallow flats (1–3 feet)
This is where the DOA Shrimp separates itself from everything else.
Best Colors for Mosquito Lagoon
I’ve tested just about every color they make. These are the ones I keep tied on:
Natural / Clear – My go-to in clear water
Root Beer – Great in slightly stained conditions
Glow – Early morning or low light
If I had to pick one?
Natural all day.
Common Mistakes I See Anglers Make
After guiding for decades, I see the same issues over and over:
Fishing too fast
Slow down. Then slow down again.
Casting too close to the fish
You’ll spook more fish than you hook.
Overworking the lure
This isn’t a topwater. Let it do its thing.
When the DOA Shrimp Outperforms Everything Else
There are days when fish won’t touch anything else.
I’ve had clients throw:
Soft plastics
Topwaters
Gold spoons
…and get ignored.
Then we switch to a DOA Shrimp—and it’s game on.
That’s not luck. That’s presentation.
Final Thoughts from the Lagoon
After 30+ years fishing and guiding in Mosquito Lagoon, I can tell you this:
There are a lot of good lures out there.
But there aren’t many that consistently produce in tough conditions, clear water, and pressured fish.
The DOA Shrimp is one of them.
And when you learn how to fish it the right way, it’ll become one of the most reliable tools in your box—just like it is in mine.
Book a Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Trip and See It in Action
If you want to learn how to fish the DOA Shrimp the right way—and experience Mosquito Lagoon the way it’s meant to be fished—I’d be glad to take you out.
After all these years, I still love watching someone hook their first redfish on this lure.
It never gets old.
Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters